From fire and bubbles of water are we sprung; for what
object were we created?
My Lord, who knoweth Thy merits?
My demerits cannot be numbered.
How many shrubs and trees have we seen! how many
beasts created by Thee!
How many species of creeping things, and how many
birds hast Thou caused to fly!
Men break through the shops and great houses of cities
and stealing therefrom go homewards.
They look before them, they look behind them, but where
can they hide themselves from Thee?
The banks of streams of pilgrimage, the nine regions[1] of
the earth, shops, cities, and market-places have I seen.
Becoming a shopkeeper I take a scale and try to weigh
my actions in my heart.
My sins are numerous as the waters of the seas and the
ocean.
Bestow compassion, extend a little mercy, save me who
am like a sinking stone.
My soul is burning like fire; it is as though shears were
cutting my heart.
Nanak humbly representeth—he who obeyeth God's order
Kalu then desired that his son should embrace a mercantile life. He instructed him to go to Chuharkana in the present district of Gujranwala, and buy there salt, turmeric, and other articles to trade with. Nanak set out with a servant, and on the way met some holy men, whose vows obliged them to remain naked in all seasons. Nanak was struck with this peculiarity, and inquired of their head-priest Santren if they had no clothes to wear, or if, having clothes, they found it uncomfortable to